The Good Red Road is an expression used by many Native American Indians which refers to the to the path we follow through this physical life on the Earth leading to our return to our ancestors. Although it sometimes seems that we are forced into difficult “corners” at times in our journey, we alone make the choices determining what kind of life it will be. As the title implies, we all do our best to live a life that we think is good for us. Lessons from our past, and the wisdom given to us through our ancestors, mentors and elders, all serve as road signs for the decisions that we make. Ultimately, we hope to have lived a life of balance and beauty, one which leaves something good for all who will follow us. I was once told that, “We don’t inherit this world from our parents, we borrow it from our children.” Walk softly on the Earth, making your choices in the context of love and compassion for all things created, and you will truly be walking the Good Red Road.

This particular tapestry is by far the most intricate and labor intensive weaving I have created. The two beaded panels are traditional designs of the tribes of the Northern Plains, such as the Lakota and Cheyenne Nations. They were woven with Japanese Delica seed beads on same loom used to create the larger tapestry wall hanging, each representing three to four days work. The needlepoint panel was done on #18 Aida cloth using DMC embroidery floss. The main body of the tapestry was done entirely with cotton, employing the use of numerous knots and plied layers of colored fiber.  The ceramic bee & sunflower, wooden hand painted dragonfly and abalone shell leaf buttons all came from by mother’s  and aunt’s collections. In total, the work was approximately two weeks in the making. It was woven with great love and respect for the intention placed in its name. May we all follow our heart and wisdom along our own Good Red Road!

Cotton, linen, Delica beadwork, leather, needlepoint, turquoise & buttons of shell, ceramic & wood.

Size:  8”x 22”

$375